Ankle stress relief device

ABSTRACT

A novel ankle gapping device includes a lower leg engaging apparatus, a foot engaging apparatus, and a biasing member disposed between the lower leg engaging apparatus and the foot engaging apparatus. The leg engaging apparatus is adapted to securely engage a user&#39;s leg such that the leg engaging apparatus will remain stationary when the biasing member exerts an upward force thereon. The foot engaging apparatus is contoured to fit the user&#39;s foot. In a particular embodiment, the biasing member is a pneumatic biasing member, such as an inflatable tube that is actuated by a pump. As the pump provides compressed air (or some other fluid) to the biasing member, the pressure inside the biasing member increases, causing an increase in the volume of the biasing member. This pressure and volume increase exerts an upward force via the leg engaging apparatus to the lower leg, and a downward force via the foot engaging apparatus to the foot. The forces applied to the leg and the foot cause separation of the ankle joint, allowing the synovial fluid to flow over the articulating surfaces of the bones of the joint.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/815,376, filed Apr. 1, 2004 by the same inventors, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to medical devices, and moreparticularly to a device for relieving ankle pain. Even moreparticularly, the invention relates to a device for performing a gappingprocedure on a human ankle joint.

2. Description of the Background Art

Many people suffer from pain in their ankle joints. The ankle joint is ahinge joint comprising articular surfaces of the distal portion of thetibia and the fibula and the superior surface of the talus. It is wedgedshaped, narrow behind and wider in front, with a forty degree range ofmovement. The line of gravity of the body passes in front of the anklejoint causing restriction and stress to the ankle, which is underconstant strain from the effects of gravity.

There are known techniques for relieving pain and stress in the anklejoint, for example by separating or “gapping” the joint to permit thesynovial fluid to flow between the articulating surfaces of the bones.In one such technique, the patient lays face down on a table, while thedoctor stands on the same side as the ankle being treated. The doctorgrasps the patient's heel (e.g., his right heel) with his left hand andplaces his left elbow in the patient's right popliteal fossa. The doctorthen places his right hand over the top of the foot and flexes the footat a right angle to the leg. The patient's right leg is flexed at theknee by a shift of the doctor's body weight backward, directed throughthe left arm, until a downward traction separation force is applied tothe ankle. Further flexion of the patient's right knee results in atraction force that is transmitted through the left arm, and which gapsthe ankle joint.

The ankle gapping procedure described above suffers severaldisadvantages. Generally the technique is only performed by a doctor orphysical therapist and can, therefore, be relatively expensive. It isalso inconvenient to make frequent trips to the doctor's office.Additionally, the procedure requires direct participation by thehealthcare provider throughout the procedure, and the duration of thetreatment is therefore somewhat limited. Furthermore, some careproviders are simply not aware of the technique. For any one or more ofthe foregoing reasons, many people are not able to fully realize thebenefits of the ankle gapping procedure.

What is needed, therefore, is a device that permits the patient toundergo an ankle gapping procedure relatively inexpensively. What isalso needed is a device whereby a user can perform the ankle gappingprocedure without the aid of a doctor or therapist. What is also neededis a device that can be used at any convenient time and place.

SUMMARY

The present invention overcomes the problems associated with the priorart by providing a device for gapping a person's ankle joint sufficientto allow synovial fluid to flow between the articulating surfaces of thebones of the joint. The invention enables a user to perform the anklegapping procedure at any convenient time or place without the aid orsupervision of a health care professional.

One disclosed ankle gapping device includes a leg engaging apparatus, afoot engaging apparatus, and a biasing member disposed there between.When actuated, the biasing member forces the leg engaging apparatus andthe foot engaging apparatus away from one another, causing separation ofthe ankle joint.

In the embodiments shown, the foot engaging apparatus includes a firstarched surface to abut the dorsal side of the foot and a second archedsurface to abut the heel. In a more particular embodiment, the firstarched surface is on a first portion of the foot engaging apparatus, thesecond arched surface is on a second portion of the foot engagingapparatus, and the first and second portions of the foot engagingapparatus are flexibly coupled together (e.g., by a hinge) to facilitateeasy application by a user. A securing device secures the foot engagingapparatus around the foot of the user. The foot engaging apparatusfurther includes a receiving portion to accept the biasing member. In amore particular embodiment, the receiving portion of the foot engagingapparatus includes a channel formed in a top portion of the footengaging apparatus.

In another particular embodiment, the leg engaging apparatus iscontoured to closely conform a human leg. In a more particularembodiment the leg engaging apparatus is sectioned to facilitateapplication and removal. A securing device secures the sectioned legengaging apparatus tightly around the lower leg, such that the legengaging apparatus remains stationary when a force is exerted thereon bythe biasing member. The leg engaging apparatus further includes areceiving portion adapted to accept the biasing member. In a moreparticular embodiment, the receiving portion of the leg engagingapparatus includes a channel formed in a bottom portion of the legengaging apparatus.

In one particular embodiment, the biasing member is pneumatic and isactuated by a pump. In the embodiment shown, the pneumatic biasingmember is an inflatable tube that is shaped as a sectioned torus, whichincludes a break to facilitate application and removal.

A method of gapping an ankle using the ankle gapping device is alsodescribed. The method includes the steps of applying the foot engagingapparatus to a person's foot, applying the foot engaging apparatus tothe person's foot, disposing a biasing member between the foot engagingapparatus and the leg engaging apparatus, and actuating the biasingmember. In a particular method, the foot engaging apparatus is appliedto the foot by positioning a first portion of the foot engagingapparatus to abut the dorsal portion of the foot and positioning thesecond portion of the foot engaging apparatus on the heel of the foot.Then, an inflatable tube is positioned in a receiving portion of thefoot engaging apparatus. Next, the leg engaging apparatus is applied bywrapping the leg engaging apparatus around the lower leg. Then, thebiasing member is actuated by pumping fluid into the inflatable tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described with reference to the followingdrawings, wherein like reference numbers denote substantially similarelements:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ankle gapping device according to oneembodiment of the present invention applied to a human leg;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a pneumatic biasing member shown inFIG. 1 taken along line A-A;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a foot engaging apparatus of the ankle gappingdevice shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a leg engaging apparatus of the anklegapping device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the ankle gapping device of FIG. 1taken along line B-B;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate ankle gapping deviceaccording to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an alternate leg engaging apparatus shown in an open positionaccording to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a section of construction materialof the foot engaging apparatus and the leg engaging apparatus of FIG. 3and FIG. 7, respectively; and

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing one particular method for using an anklegapping device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention overcomes the problems associated with the priorart, by providing a device with which a user can perform an anklegapping procedure on their own ankle. In the following description,numerous specific details are set forth (e.g., a pneumatic biasingmember, particular construction materials, example securing devices,etc.) in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention.Those skilled in the art will recognize, however, that the invention maybe practiced apart from these specific details. In other instances,details of well known medical device manufacturing practices (e.g.,molding process, fabrication process, etc.) and components have beenomitted, so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an ankle gapping device 100 appliedto a human foot 102. Ankle gapping device 100 includes a lower legengaging apparatus 104, a foot engaging apparatus 106, and a pneumaticbiasing member 108 disposed between lower leg engaging apparatus 104 andfoot engaging apparatus 106. Pneumatic biasing member 108 is shown to betransparent in order to provide a better view of other features of anklegapping device 100, but it should be understood that biasing member 108need not be transparent.

Leg engaging apparatus 104 is adapted to securely engage a user's leg118 such that leg engaging apparatus 104 will remain stationary whenpneumatic biasing member 108 exerts an upward force thereon. In thisparticular embodiment, leg engaging apparatus 104 is made of semi-rigidfoam rubber that is wrapped snuggly around user's leg 118. A flaredreceiving portion 112 of leg engaging apparatus 104 is shaped to acceptbiasing member 108 and provides a surface against which biasing member108 can exert force.

Foot engaging apparatus 106 is contoured to fit the user's foot 102. Inparticular, a front section 122 and a rear section 123 of foot engagingapparatus 106 rest upon the dorsal side and heel of foot 102,respectively. The top rim of foot engaging member 106 defines a flaredreceiving portion 110 that is shaped to accept biasing member 108 andprovides a surface against which biasing member 108 can exert force.

In this particular embodiment, pneumatic biasing member 108 is aninflatable tube and is actuated by a pump 114. Pump 114 is ahand-operated air pump similar to those found in such devices as asphygmomanometer. As pump 114 provides compressed air (or some otherfluid) to biasing member 108, via a supply tube 116, the pressure insidebiasing member 108 increases, causing an increase in the volume ofbiasing member 108. This pressure and volume increase exerts an upwardforce on receiving portion 112, which is transferred by leg engagingapparatus 104 to lower leg 118, and a downward force on receivingportion 110, which is transferred by foot engaging apparatus 106 to foot102. The forces applied to leg 118 and foot 102 cause separation of theankle joint, allowing the synovial fluid to flow over the articulatingsurfaces of the bones of the joint.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that this particular type ofactuator (as well as other described elements, even if not explicitlystated) is not an essential element of the present invention. Forexample, the present invention may be practiced with alternateactuators, depending on the type of biasing member (e.g., pneumatic,hydraulic, mechanical, magnetic, etc.) used. Further, in particularembodiments of the invention, this element may be omitted, for example,by providing an elastic biasing member that is compressed duringapplication of the leg engaging apparatus and/or the foot engagingapparatus.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of pneumatic biasing member 108 to include asectioned portion 109. Section 109 provides an opening to facilitate theuser's application of pneumatic biasing member 108 to his/her ankle,without having to force biasing member 108 over foot 102. Furthermore,section 109 facilitates the application of pneumatic biasing member 108either before, after, or in between the application of foot engagingapparatus and leg engaging apparatus.

During actuation, pneumatic biasing member 108 increases in volume andtakes the shape of a torus. Both receiving portions 112 and 110 at leastpartially surround pneumatic biasing member 108 (FIG. 1). The torusshape and the uniform internal pressure provides substantially equalexpansion all the way around pneumatic biasing member 108, thereforeexerting a generally equal force around receiving portions 112 and 110.In particular, the force exerted on the rear sections of receivingportions 112 and 110 is substantially equal to the force exerted onfront sections of receiving portions 112 and 110.

It should be noted that pneumatic biasing member 108 need not be aperfectly circular torus. For example, pneumatic biasing member 108 maybe slightly elliptical or even rectangular, as long as pneumatic biasingmember fits within receiving portions 112 and 110 of leg engagingapparatus 104 and foot engaging apparatus 106, respectively. Therefore,as used herein, the term “torus” is understood to include suchdeviations from a perfectly circular torus.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of foot engaging apparatus 106 of ankle gappingdevice 100 to include a medial separation 130 and a lateral separation132. Medial separation 130 is bridged by a flexible member to create ahinge-like member 128 that allows foot engaging apparatus 106 to open toreceive foot 102. Lateral separation 132 includes a fastening device 124(e.g., hook and loop material, latch, etc.) to sufficiently secure footengaging apparatus 106 in a closed and stationary position duringactuation of biasing member 108 (FIG. 1).

It should be noted that foot engaging apparatus 106 need not have aseparation on each side. Foot engaging apparatus 106 can function with asingle separation (e.g., lateral separation 132) as long as footengaging apparatus 106 is constructed of a semi-rigid, flexiblematerial, for example a flexible plastic material. The material shouldbe flexible enough to open, yet rigid enough to maintain shape duringactuation of biasing member 108.

Foot engaging apparatus 106 includes a lower channel 111 formed inreceiving portion 110 to seat pneumatic biasing member 108. Inparticular, lower channel 111 is contoured to the bottom half portion ofpneumatic biasing member 108. Furthermore, lower channel 111 issufficiently rigid to resist deformation under the force of biasingmember 108. This helps to maintain equal force on all surface areas oflower channel 111. Separations 130 and 132 continue through lowerchannel 111 to allow foot engaging apparatus 106 to open.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing leg engaging apparatus 104 to becontoured to fit leg 118. In this particular embodiment, leg engagingapparatus 104 is constructed of a semi-rigid material (e.g., thick foamrubber). This material should be flexible enough for leg engaging device104 to be wrapped around leg 118, yet rigid enough to maintain its shapewhen biasing member 108 is actuated. Optionally, the inside of legengaging apparatus 104 is lined with a resilient material that adheresto the users skin and holds firmly to leg 118.

Leg engaging apparatus 104 includes a receiving portion 112 thatprovides a seat for the top half of pneumatic biasing member 108.Receiving portion 112 is similar to lower receiving portion 110 instructure and function. In particular, receiving portion 112 transfersan upward force exerted by biasing member 108 to leg engaging apparatus104, which in turn transfers the force to leg 118.

In this particular embodiment, leg engaging apparatus 104 is sectionedby only one separation 136. Separation 136 enables the user to wrap legengaging apparatus 104 around leg 118. In the case of a slightly smallersized leg, leg engaging apparatus 104 can be adjusted by overlapping theends that meet at separation 136. A fastening member 138 includes anelastic strap with a binding device 140 (e.g., hook and loop fastenermaterial, see FIG. 5) to secure leg engaging apparatus 104 tightlyaround lower leg 118.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of ankle gapping device 100 of FIG.1 taken along line B-B. Leg engaging apparatus 104 is contoured to leg118 sufficient to remain stationary with respect to leg 118 duringactuation of biasing member 108. In particular, leg engaging apparatus104 is significantly narrower at the lower end, such that the calfmuscle of the user will prevent leg engaging apparatus 104 from ridingup leg 118.

Foot engaging apparatus 106 includes a front section 122 and a rearsection 123. Front section 122 is shaped to abut the dorsal portion offoot 102. Rear section 123 is shaped to abut the heal of foot 102. Inparticular, rear section 123 is arched to receive the superior posteriorsurface of the calcaneus. The interior layer of foot engaging apparatus106 is resilient to better form to foot 102, to improve adherence to theskin of foot 102, and to be more comfortable.

During actuation of pneumatic biasing member 108, force is exertedevenly upward and downward toward receiving portion 112 and receivingportion 110, respectively. The uniform force applied to receivingportions 110 and 112 maintain receiving portions 110 and 112 in aroughly parallel relationship. Therefore, the angular position of foot102 with respect to leg 118 depends on the relative position of frontsection 122 and rear section 123 of foot engaging apparatus 106. In thisparticular embodiment, foot 102 is maintained at approximately a ninetydegree angle with respect to leg 118.

Note that pneumatic biasing member 108 bulges slightly outward betweenreceiving portions 112 and 110 during actuation. So long as the walls ofinflatable tube 108 are sufficiently strong, this bulge does notsignificantly interfere with the function of ankle gapping device 100.If for some reason it is desirable to use an inflatable tube withthinner and/or weaker walls, then the walls of receiving portions 110and 112 can be extended toward one another to more fully enclose biasingmember 108.

FIG. 6 shows a cross sectional view of an alternate ankle gapping device600 including an enclosed biasing member receiving portion 602. Theenclosed receiving portion 602 includes a rectangular female receivingchannel 606 formed to receive a male biasing member housing 604. Malebiasing member housing 604 includes lateral walls 608 that slidablyengage corresponding grooves 610 formed in female receiving channel 606.This slidable engagement prevents lateral movement while allowingvertical movement.

Because lateral movement is limited and biasing member 108 is completelyenclosed by receiving portion 602, force is transferred primarily upwardand downward to leg engaging apparatus 104 and foot engaging apparatus106, respectively. Further, the enclosed receiving portion 602 preventsbulging of biasing member 108, either outward between the ends of thereceiving portions or inward against the ankle of the wearer.

FIG. 7 shows a front view of an alternate leg engaging apparatus 700 inan open position. In this particular embodiment, alternate leg engagingapparatus 700 includes a lateral shell 702 and a medial shell 704,connected by a flexible, inelastic hinge 706 (e.g., a sturdy clothcovering). When alternate leg engaging apparatus 700 is applied to auser's leg, lateral shell 702 closely abuts the lateral side of the leg,and medial shell 704 closely abuts the medial side of the leg.

A plurality of fastening members 708 secure alternate leg engagingapparatus 700 to the user's leg. The use of a plurality (three in thisexample) of fastening members 708 facilitates a tight fit to the leg,because the tightness of fit can be adjusted independently at thelocation of each of the fastening members 708. In this particularembodiment, fastening members 708 comprise straps of hook and loopfastening material such as that sold under the trade name VELCRO®.However, it is anticipated that other fastening members (buckles,ratchets, latches, etc.) can be used instead.

FIG. 8 shows a cross sectional view of a rectangular sample of material800 from foot engaging device 106 and/or alternate leg engaging device700. Material 800 includes an inner layer 802, a middle layer 804 and anouter layer 806. The inner layer 802 is made of a resilient, compliantmaterial to conform easily to leg 118 and foot 102. Furthermore, it isdesirable for inner layer 804 to be somewhat tacky to help preventsliding. Middle layer 804 provides structural support for foot engagingapparatus 106 and alternate leg engaging apparatus 700. Middle layer 804is formed from a sufficiently rigid material (e.g., aluminum, hardplastic, wood, condensed rubber, etc.) to transfer force exerted bybiasing member 108 to foot 102 and leg 118 without deforming. Outerlayer 806 provides a cover for the exterior of rigid middle layer 802.Outer layer 806 can be function (e.g., include hook and loop fastenermaterial) or merely aesthetic.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart summarizing a method 900 for performing an anklegapping procedure using ankle gapping device 100 of FIG. 1. In a firststep 902, a user applies foot engaging apparatus 106 to his/her foot 102with rear arched surface 123 abutting the heal and front arched surface122 abutting the dorsal portion of the foot 102. Then, in a second step904, the user places biasing member 108 around ankle and into receivingchannel 111. Next, in a third step 906, the user applies leg engagingapparatus 104 to his/her lower leg 118. Then, in a fourth step 908, theuser actuates biasing member 108 by squeezing pump 114 to inflatebiasing member 108. Next, in a fifth step 910, the user waits a lengthof time corresponding to the recommended duration of the ankle gappingprocedure. Then, in a sixth step 912, the user deactivates biasingmember 108, for example by deflating it. Finally, in a seventh step 914,the user removes leg engaging apparatus 104, biasing member 108 and footengaging apparatus 106.

The description of particular embodiments of the present invention isnow complete. Many of the described features may be substituted, alteredor omitted without departing from the scope of the invention. Forexample, alternate biasing members (e.g., a mechanical jack type,springs, etc.), may be substituted for the inflatable tube disclosed. Asanother example, latched bindings, elastic straps and/or buckles may besubstituted for the securing devices shown. As yet another example, analternate leg engaging apparatus can include a top opening of a fixeddiameter, which can be slipped over the foot, but that is too small topass over the calf muscle. These and other deviations from theparticular embodiments shown will be apparent to those skilled in theart, particularly in view of the foregoing disclosure.

1. An ankle gapping device comprising: a lower leg engaging apparatus; afoot engaging apparatus; and a biasing member disposed between saidlower leg engaging apparatus and said foot engaging apparatus to biassaid lower leg engaging apparatus and said foot engaging apparatus awayfrom each other.
 2. An ankle gapping device according to claim 1,wherein said biasing member is pneumatic.
 3. An ankle gapping deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said foot engaging apparatus includes areceiving portion adapted to accept said biasing member.
 4. An anklegapping device according to claim 1, wherein said foot engagingapparatus comprises: a first surface adapted abut a dorsal portion of afoot; and a second surface adapted to abut a heel; and wherein at leastone of said first and second surfaces is arched.
 5. An ankle gappingdevice according to claim 4, wherein: said first surface is on a firstportion of said foot engaging apparatus; said second surface is on asecond portion of said foot engaging apparatus; and said first portionof said foot engaging apparatus is flexibly coupled to said secondportion of said foot engaging apparatus.
 6. An ankle gapping deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said leg engaging apparatus includes areceiving portion adapted to accept said biasing member.
 7. An anklegapping device according to claim 1, wherein said leg engaging apparatusis formed of material sufficiently rigid to transfer force exerted bysaid biasing member to a lower leg of a user.
 8. An ankle gapping deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said leg engaging apparatus is sectionedto facilitate application and removal.
 9. An ankle gapping deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein: said foot engaging apparatus defines aseat formed to accept a bottom portion of said biasing member; and saidleg engaging apparatus defines a seat formed to accept a top portion ofsaid biasing member.
 10. An ankle gapping device according to claim 9,wherein said biasing member is an inflatable tube.
 11. An ankle gappingdevice according to claim 1, wherein said biasing member is capable ofexerting a force sufficient to cause separation of an ankle joint. 12.An ankle gapping device according to claim 1, wherein a relative anglebetween said foot engaging apparatus and said lower leg engagingapparatus remains constant when said biasing member is biasing saidlower leg engaging apparatus and said foot engaging apparatus away fromeach other.
 13. A method for gapping an ankle joint, comprising:applying a foot engaging apparatus to a person's foot; applying a legengaging apparatus to the person's leg; disposing a biasing memberbetween said foot engaging apparatus and said leg engaging apparatus;and actuating said biasing member to urge said foot engaging apparatusand said leg engaging apparatus apart from one another.
 14. A method forgapping an ankle joint according to claim 13, wherein said step ofapplying said foot engaging apparatus to said foot includes positioninga first portion of said foot engaging apparatus on a dorsal side of saidfoot and positioning a second portion of said foot engaging apparatus ona heel of said foot.
 15. A method for gapping an ankle joint accordingto claim 13, wherein said step of applying said leg engaging apparatusto said leg includes wrapping said leg engaging apparatus around thelower leg.
 16. A method for gapping an ankle joint according to claim13, wherein said step of disposing said biasing member between said footengaging apparatus and said leg engaging apparatus includes positioningan inflatable tube between said foot engaging apparatus and said legengaging apparatus.
 17. A method for gapping an ankle joint according toclaim 16, wherein said step of actuating said biasing member includespumping fluid into said inflatable tube.
 18. A method for gapping anankle joint according to claim 13, wherein a relative angle between saidfoot engaging apparatus and said leg engaging apparatus remains constantafter said biasing member is actuated.
 19. An ankle gapping devicecomprising: a lower leg engaging apparatus; a foot engaging apparatus;and means for pushing said lower leg engaging apparatus and said footengaging apparatus in opposite directions with a force sufficient to gapan ankle joint.
 20. An ankle gapping device according to claim 19,wherein a relative angle between said foot engaging apparatus and saidlower leg engaging apparatus remains constant as said means for pushingpushes said lower leg engaging apparatus and said foot engagingapparatus in opposite directions.